Blog Archive

23 Dec 2014

The new 2.8mm VJ-Advance (VJ-ADV) has all the same features as the original, flagship 6.9mm VJ-Advance, including four-way joystick-controlled camera articulation, medical grade camera technology, and trigger activated image capture.

As a leader in non-destructive testing technology, we are proud to announce a new addition to our family of video borescopes. The VJ-Advance video borescope line is well-established in the remote visual inspection industry as a preferred diagnostic device for various applications in aviation, oil and gas, chemical processing and automotive manufacturing.

The new 2.8mm VJ-Advance has all the same features as the original, flagship 6.9mm VJ-Advance, including four-way joystick-controlled camera articulation, medical grade camera technology, and trigger activated image capture. “The one-handed, piston-grip design of the VJ-Advance is unrivaled in the video borescope industry, and it’s great to add another new borescope to our line-up,” said Duncan White, Director of Sales and Marketing at RF System Lab. “Our new 2.8mm scope is the smallest video-based borescope with full four-way articulation in the world. It’s really amazing the first time you see it in action – it’s going to be a fantastic alternative to fiber-based scopes for those applications requiring an ultra-thin insertion tube.”

Early interest in the 2.8mm VJ-Advance video borescope has been focused on the aerospace, power-gen and metal casting industries, although any application that requires a sub-4mm borescope is a possible fit. In particular, technicians who have in the past been limited to using fiber-based scopes should consider the new 2.8mm borescope, as it is an excellent replacement for fiberoptic scopes that can be easily damaged. Additionally, these older, fiber-based scopes typically require viewing through an eyepiece, as opposed to the flip-up LCD display screen on the VJ-Advance.

This latest VJ-Advance joins RF System Lab’s existing line of 3.9mm and 6.9mm video borescopes. Please contact us directly to determine which model is right for your needs. To make the decision process easy, we offer the industry’s only no-cost, no-obligation demo program so you can evaluate the new 2.8mm video borescope in your facility doing your inspections, before you decide to buy. Contact RF System Lab today by visiting our website or call us toll free at (231) 943-1171, and see what you’ve been missing.

Some of the most important features companies look for when investing in a high-quality video borescope are portability and a reliable, long-lasting power source. RF System Lab, a worldwide leader in remote visual inspection technology, introduces the VJ-Advance video borescope; an extremely portable, high-end inspection camera that runs on standard AA batteries.

The VJ-Advance video borescope from RF System Lab is compact in size and weighs in at only 23oz, making it ergonomic and extremely lightweight. Lower-quality borescopes are bulky and, in some cases, require access to an electrical outlet to operate. The VJ-Advance is easily transported and while a direct AC-110 power adapter comes with the VJ-Advance for non-stop, continuous power, the video borescope’s main power source is standard AA batteries.

There are numerous benefits to owning an inspection tool that operates on standard AA batteries. One notable benefit is that running on AA batteries means that there is no downtime waiting for the borescope to recharge. If the VJ-Advance’s AA batteries die, the user simply needs to take out the old batteries, replace them with new ones, and the VJ-Advance is ready for use. This immediate, on-demand power option is one of the many things that sets RF System Lab apart from other video borescope providers.

Most video borescopes come with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which means that while the scope’s battery is charging, there is downtime where it cannot be used for inspections – something that can be detrimental if there is an immediate inspection need. If the charger is lost and needs to be reordered, technicians may have to wait a week or more to complete an inspection. With the VJ-Advance articulating video borescope, you never have to worry about wasting time while waiting for any part to charge or for replacement battery accessories to arrive. The VJ-Advance is ready for use whenever it is needed.

Large lithium-ion batteries, which are the primary source of power for many borescopes on the market, are not easily transported. While AA batteries are legal on airplanes, lithium-ion batteries must have less than 25 grams of lithium content per battery in checked baggage and are not allowed in carry-on baggage per the FAA. This makes traveling with borescopes that require rechargeable lithium-ion batteries extremely difficult. The lightweight VJ-Advance video borescope not only comes with a carry case that holds all accessories, but is easily transported because of the widely-accepted AA power source.

Baton Rouge, LA: home to Bourbon Street, spicy jambalaya, Louisiana State University and… most importantly, the upcoming Gulf South Rotating Machinery Symposium (GSRMS). This event is taking place at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center on April 28-May 1, 2014 and RF System Lab’s VJ-Advance (VJ-ADV) video borescope is going to be featured on the exhibit floor.

The Gulf South Rotating Machinery Symposium logo

Gulf South Rotating Machinery Symposium is an event where professionals in the oil and gas industry can educate themselves and learn ways to continually improve and find advancements in the rotating machinery and compression industry. GSRMS will feature an impressive variety of tutorials and events such as breakfast with exhibitors, a golf scramble and a Crawfish Boil on Tuesday evening.

Casey O’Tool, borescope expert and sales consultant at RF System Lab, will be exhibiting at the event and providing demos of the VJ-ADV. Casey is looking forward to many events and educational opportunities at GSRMS, but above all he is excited to connect with some current and potential customers. There are also customers that he hopes to catch up with including RR Energy Services, who purchased a VJ-ADV 6.9mm/1.5m for engine and compression services and Pelstar USA, who own three of RF System Lab’s VJ-ADV 6.9mm/1.5m for rotating equipment services.

If you will be in attendance at Gulf South Rotating Machinery Symposium, stop by booth #45 to meet Casey O’Tool and let him show you how a VJ-ADV could assist with your rotating machinery and compression needs.

You can visit booth #45 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center starting on April 28th at 7:00am and have Casey O’Tool provide expert information about the VJ-Advance video borescope; try it out onsite and experience the ease of use yourself.

21 Dec 2014

The VJ-Advance (VJ-ADV) video borescope has made its way back to Traverse City, MI after traveling to Atlantic City, NJ on April 9-10 for GLOBALCON 2014, presented by the Association of Energy Engineers. GLOBALCON 2014 was full of thought-provoking sessions and opportunities, as well as an exhibit floor with the latest energy-saving technology…plus a meet and greet at the TUN Tavern.

Edward Thomas, RF System Lab sales consultant, was on site to demo the VJ-ADV during GLOBALCON 2014. He was also able to mix and mingle with some of the industry’s finest reliability engineers. One notable connection that Thomas made was Atlantic Power System, an energy provider that maintains large diesel engines. A perfect fit for the VJ-ADV video borescope. The VJ-ADV’s one-handed joystick articulation allows technicians to easily inspect large diesel engines, which is crucial when assessments include evaluating a path that goes through a muffler and over a baffle. Utilizing a video borescope with 360 degree articulation ensures completed inspections, with accuracy and confidence.

Another company that Thomas met at GLOBALCON 2014 was Protective Power Systems and Controls, whose booth was located across the aisle from RF System Lab’s. Protective Power Systems and Controls is a company that maintains generators for various clients. The ability to capture concise images and videos of internal generator inspections and swiftly transfer them to an SD card, features offered by the VJ-ADV, would be a great value to maintenance field technicians as well as customers.

RF System Lab values the energy industry, which is what made providing demonstrations of the VJ-ADV at GLOBALCON 2014 such a memorable experience. If you were unable to test drive the VJ-Advance video borescope at GLOBALCON 2014, we would like to offer you a free trial. To make the decision process easy, we offer the industry’s only no-cost, no-obligation demo program so you can evaluate the VJ-Advance line of video borescopes in your facility doing your inspections, before you decide to buy.

For more information about RF System Lab and the VJ-Advance (VJ-ADV) video borescope call us at (888) 747-6526 or visit or website www.rfsystemlab.us.

20 Dec 2014

In 1893, the P.T. Barnum Museum was established, not as a circus themed museum, but dedicated to American historical and scientific interests. Within the first decade of existence, The Barnum Museum received a mysterious 4,000 year old mummy, named Pa-Ib. The mummy has been one of the museum’s best drawing exhibits for over a hundred years. In recent years, new technology has given the scientific community new tools in discovering more about who Pa-Ib was, and what life might have been like during the time she lived.

The oldest relic in the Barnum Museum, the Egyptian mummy, Pa-Ib, was examined with an x-ray and endoscope by Quinnipiac University. The inspection was performed using a Toshiba CT scanner and an RF System Lab video borescope. Using this new technology the professors at Quinnipiac examined the mummy and were able to narrow the age of the women at death, and determine that the object once thought could be the mummified remains of a bird was, instead, mummified organs of the deceased.

The mummy was donated to the Barnum Museum in 1896 by P.T. Barnum’s second wife, Nancy Fish Barnum. The circus entrepreneur had contended the mummy was an Egyptian priest who served the pagan deity 2,500 years ago.

We here at RF System Lab are very proud to know that our flagship product, the VJ-Advance video borescope, played a role in uncovering historical mysteries.

Watch the video and try to spot the VJ-Advance video borescope!

Even if you aren’t planning on inspecting a mummy, we would still like to extend a free trial to use the VJ-Advance at your facility – for free! Call us at (888) 747-6526 or email info@rfsystemlab.us for more information on your free VJ-Advance video borescope trial.